Sprinkler mounting device

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting impulse type sprinklers to risers comprises an elongated sleeve having a cylindrical exterior surface and an inside open bore. The sleeve includes a spaced pair of O-rings extending annularly about the exterior surface to engage slidably with the interior bore of a sprinkler riser. The bore of the sleeve receives a downwardlyprojecting delivery tube for free rotation about the axis of the bore. A watertight seal is completed between the delivery tube and sleeve by means of an O-ring held within the bore. The device further includes abutment means at an end of the delivery tube protruding downwardly from the sleeve. The abutment means prevents the delivery tube from moving upwardly and outwardly from the sleeve. Fastening means is provided to releasably secure the sleeve within a riser. The device is intended for use as a repair kit for existing impulsetype sprinklers or as a modification of existing sprinkler mounts for impulse-type sprinklers.

[4 1 Oct. 14, 1975 United States Patent [191 Johnson [57] ABSTRACT A device for mounting impulse type sprinklers to risers comprises an elongated sleeve having a cylindrical SPRINKLER MOUNTING DEVICE exterior surface and an inside open bore. The sleeve includes a spaced pair of O-rings extending annularly about the exterior surface to engage slidably with the interior bore of a sprinkler riser. The bore of the [22] Filed:

sleeve receives a downwardlyprojecting delivery tube for free rotation about the axis of the bore. A watertight seal is completed between the delivery tube and 34 W 3 m 2 0 W B 3 I H 0 9 3 3 2 B u 5 u 0 m B 1 l m c S L U m .1 1 2 1 5 5 l sleeve by means of an O-ring held within the bore. The device further includes abutment means at an end B058 3/06 239/600, 230, 264, 265, 239/261; 403/349, DIG. 4

[58] Field of Search of the delivery tube protruding downwardly from the sleeve. The abutment means prevents the delivery tube from moving upwardly and outwardly from the References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS sleeve. Fastening means is provided to releasably secure the sleeve within a riser. The device is intended 3,070,314 239 230 for use as a repair kit for existing impulsgtype Sprim 3,799,453 klers or as a modification o exis g Sprinkler mounts FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS for impulse -type sprinklers.

1,487,141 5/1967 France,..... 239/600 1,129,881 6/1967 United Kingdom................. 239/600 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney, Agent, or F irmWe1ls, St. John & Roberts ssa wI w

SPRINKLER MOUNTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION kler heads are constructed to enable their removal from the risers by means of a pipe wrench or other tool adapted to such purposes. I

The sprinkler heads are normally connected to th riser pipes by means of a pipe fitting that includes a vertical inside bore. A water delivery tube is usually rotatably carried within the bore and threadably engages the sprinkler head. The delivery tube includes a lower flanged end that, as the sprinkler rotates, rides frictionally against the lower end of the pipe fitting. Although washers are often utilized between this flange and the lower end of the pipe fitting, friction eventually wears away the washers and, in due time, also wears the flange. Without the flange to prevent outward movement of the sprinkler head, the water pressure forces the sprinkler head off the riser pipe, or at least a serious leak occurs.

When the lower flange of the delivery tube wears away, the conventional flange is usually discarded and replaced by a new delivery tube or the entire sprinkler head is thrown away if the delivery tube is frozen or rusted to the sprinkler head. Since sprinkler heads are a rather expensive item, it is desirable to provide some form of alternative repair that will enable quick repair and reuse of the sprinkler head.

'It is a primary purpose of the present invention to provide a device for mounting impulse-type sprinkler heads to riser pipes, that regardless of presence of the lower flange on the delivery tube, will provide a watertight seal between the riser and sprinkler and will further prevent the downwardly-open end of the delivery tube from being forced upwardly through the riser. The device of the present invention also provides means for enabling manual attachment and detachment of the sprinkler heads to risers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A device for mounting a sprinkler to a riser is described wherein the riser has a smooth cylindrical inner surface of constant diameter. The device comprises a sleeve that includes an elongated cylindrical outer surface having a cross-sectional diameter less than the diameter of the cylindrical inner surface of said riser and further includes an inner bore of a prescribed diameter that extends the full length of the sleeve. A water delivery tube is included, either as an element of the present device or as an element of the sprinkler head. The delivery tube includes a downwardly-open tubular section that extends through the inner bore of the sleeve. This tubular section includes a cross-sectional outside diameter substantially less than the diameter of the bore within said sleeve. A first annular gasket means on the sleeve is provided to enable a watertight seal to be formed between the sleeve and riser when the sleeve is inserted into the riser. A second annular gasket means is also provided on the sleeve within the bore to facilitate a watertight seal between the sleeve and the water delivery tube. Fastening means is also includes to releasably secure the sleeve within the riser. Finally, an abutment means on the water delivery tube is provided if not already supplied conventionally, at an inner end of the delivery tube for preventing the inner end from being moved through the sleeve.

It is a first object of my invention to provide a device for mounting impulse sprinkler heads that may be manually removed and repaired at the location of the sprinkler without requiring special tools.

Another object is to provide such a device that is extremely simple in construction and is therefore very inexpensive to manufacture and to purchase.

It is a yet further object to provide such a device that may be utilized either as a repair kit or as a replacement for present conventional impulse sprinkler head mounting devices.

Another object is to provide such a device that may effectively utilize worn parts of conventional impulse head sprinkler mounts.

A further object is to provide such a device that does not require a threaded engagement of a pipe fitting to provide a waterproof seal between the sprinkler head and riser.

These and other objects and advantages will become evident upon readingthe following description, which, taken with the attached drawings, discloses a preferred and alternate form of my invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred and an alternate form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 7

FIG. 1 is an elevational sectioned view of a sprinkler head and a fragmentary portion of a riser pipe, the sprinkler head being mounted to the riser pipe by means of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational secti'olned view taken substantially along line 2-2 in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is an elevational sectioned view of an alternate form of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevationalsectioned view of a prior art impulse sprinkler head; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded pictorial view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS In looking at the drawings in more detail, a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 with two alternate embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 5 respectively. Basically, all embodiments of the present invention are indicated in the drawings by the reference character 10. It isthe purpose of device 10 The sprinkler 11 as shown in the drawings is also a conventional item, basically comprising a head section 13 that includes an inner bore leading from a delivery tube 18 to a spray nozzle 17. A spring arm 19 is pivotably mounted to the body section 13 and includes a deflector 20 normally positioned to intersect spray emitting from nozzle 17. A spring 23 urges deflector 20 toward the described position. In operation, the deflector 20 is alternately swung into the spray, which forces the deflector 20 back against resistance of the spring 23 about the axis of the mounting pin. The torsional force created by this intermittent back and forwardmovement, along with a bending of the spray from nozzle 17, results in an incremental movement of the sprinkler head about the vertical axis of the riser each time the deflector 20 is moved into the spray. Such sprinkler heads are commonly utilized both inlawn irrigation and in the agricultural irrigation industry.

' Often the sprinkler heads are supplied with a delivery tube 18 that normally extends downwardly into riser 12. Often, a fitting is also provided as a substantially integral portion of the sprinkler head, that is adapted to fit the sprinkler head to a riser. Such a mount is indicated at 21 in FIG. 4. These conventional mounts usually include a pipe fitting 20 that is threaded appropriately to be received by the complementary threaded end of a riser. The fittings normally include an interior bore through which a delivery tube 18 is rotatably carried. Tube 18 'gen erallyincludes a lower flanged end 25 that is slidably engaged adjacent the lower end of the fitting to a number of friction washers 24. Washers 24 allow rotational movement of the delivery tube 18 within the fitting and prevent water from seeping between flange 25 and the bore of the fitting. These washers often wear away, leaving a metal to metal engagement of the flange 25 against the lower end of fitting 22. The resulting wear usually eliminates the flange 25 afid'thereby enables'vertical movement of the delivery tube through the fitting. Under water pressure, the sprinkler head is often lfited off the riser. This leaves a clear passageway for escape of the water and results in a geyser emitting vertically from the riser. If the sprinklerhead is not ejected from the riser, a serious leak is usually experienced at the juncture of the sprinkler head and riser, thus creating a needless waste of irrigation water.

The device of the present invention basically includes a sleeve 30 that is slidably received within the smooth inner cylindrical surface of riser 12. Sleeve 30 is constructed of Nylon or other suitable plastic resin. It includes an outer cylindrical surface 31 that extends along its length. An inner bore 32 is provided to rotatably receive a tubular section 34 of a delivery tube v 33. It may be noted at this point that an individual delivery tube 33 may be supplied in conjunction with the present device, or a conventional type delivery tube 18 may be utilized for replacing conventional mounting devices such as that illustrated in FIG. 4.

A first gasket means 36 is provided about the exterior cylindrical surface 31 of sleeve 30. Gasket means 36 is comprised of a spaced pair of resilient O-rings 38 mounted within appropriate annular grooves 39. The O-rings 38 are of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 15 of riser 12 while the outer sleeve surface 31 is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of inner surface 15. The O-rings 38 may thereby establish a watertight seal between the sleeve 30 and riser 12. The two spaced rings 38 also stabilize sleeve 30 within riser 12.

A second gasket means 37 is also provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Gasket means 37 is also comprised ofa resilient O ring 40 that is fitted within an annular groove or recess 41 within inner bore 32. Inner bore 32 is ofa diameter slightly greater than the diameter of tubular section 34. A watertight seal is effected by O-ring 40 between tube 33 and sleeve 30 since it has an inner diameter somewhat less than the outside diameter of section 34. Although a watertight seal is provided between sleeve 30 and delivery tube 33, the tube 33 remains freely rotatable within the sleeve. As may be noted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, a fastening means 44 is provided for releasably securing the sleeve 30 within riser 12. Fastening means 44 may include a handle or handles'45 that enable manual manipulation of a fastening portion 46. As shown in FIG. 1, the fastening portion 46 is comprised of a set of male threads to be received by a complementary set of female threads within the riser 12. In FIG. 3 a set of female threads is provided to engage a complementary male set of threads of a riser 12. And finally in FIG. 5, opposed lock pins 47 extend radially from sleeve 30 along with a handle or handles 45. The lock pins 47 are received within appropriate slots 48 formed in the riser 12. This form of fastening means, as well as other alternate forms may be effectively utilized since the fastening means 44 is not essential to provide a watertight seal between the riser l2 and delivery tube 33.

An abutment means 51 may also be provided in several forms as illustrated by FIGS. 1, 4, and 3. The abutment means is simply provided to prevent upward movement of the delivery tube 33 through the sleeve 30. Therefore, such means 51 may comprise a pin 52 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 extending transversely through a lower end 53 of the delivery tube 33. A steel washer 49 is interposed between the abutment means 51 and the softer sleeve 30. Abutment means 51 may also be comprised of a shoulder 25 of a conventional delivery tube 18 as illustrated in FIG. 4. And further, the abutment means 51 may be comprised of a frictional retaining nut, washer or a spring type screen 55 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The abutment means as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 are exemplary of abutment means that may be utilized to repair a worn conventional delivery tube 18 or may be supplied as an integral part of the delivery tube 33 of the present device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative form of the device within an upwardly curved portion of 56 of the delivery tube 33 is provided, leading to a sprinkler nozzle 17. If offset from the axis of rotation for delivery tube 33, the nozzle may operate to rotate tube 33 about an axis defined by the bore 32 of sleeve 30.

Installation of the device when utilized as a repair kit to enable field repair of damaged sprinklers may now be easily understood. When a worn or leaking sprinkler is discovered, the existing fitting 21 is removed from riser 12. If the flange 25 on delivery tube 18 is worn away, the fitting 21 may be easily removed from tube 18 simply by sliding it downwardly away from the attached sprinkler head. At this point, the fastening means 44 and sleeve 30 may be slidably mounted over the existing delivery tube 18. By drilling a hole in the worn'end of tube 18, a pin 52 such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, may be inserted to be utilized as an abutment means 51. Or, as an alternative a spring screen 55 (FIG.

3) may be fitted to the lower tube end to prevent the tube from moving upwardly under water pressure to escape from the sleeve 30. Once this simple procedure is complete, the repaired sprinkler head and mount may be secured to the riser 12 by manual manipulation of handles 45. The fastening means 44 further simplifies future repair by enabling manual removal of the sprinkler head from the riser 12. The O-rings 38, 40 are easily replaceable without special tools or equipment.

When utilized as a conversion to replace existing conventional mounting devices, the original delivery tube 18 is threadably disengaged from the sprinkler and the elements attached thereto as illustrated in FIG. 4 are discarded. The existing tube 18 or a new delivery tube 33 and accompanying sleeve 30, fastening means 44, and (if applicable) abutment means 51 are then mounted to the sprinkler head and subsequently mounted to the riser. The delivery tube 33 of the present invention is intended to be supplied either as a sprinkle head as shown in FIG. 3 or to include an upper threaded end 57 that is adapted to threadably engage existing conventional sprinkler heads.

It may have become obvious from the above description and attached drawings that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, only the following claims are to be taken as definitions of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A device for mounting a sprinkler to a riser having a smooth cylindrical inner surface of constant diameter, comprising:

a sleeve having an elongated cylindrical outer surface of a cross-sectional diameter slightly less than the diameter of said smooth cylindrical inner surface of said riser and an inner bore of a prescribed diameter extending the full length of said sleeve;

a water delivery tube having a downwardly open cylindrical tubular section extending through the inner bore of said sleeve to an inner end projecting below said sleeve;

said tubular section and inner end having crosssectional outer diameters slightly less than the diameter of said bore;

first annular gasket means on said sleeve for providing a water-tight seal between the sleeve and riser when said sleeve is inserted into said riser;

second annular gasket means on the sleeve within said bore for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and water delivery tube;

fastening means operatively connected between the sleeve and riser for releasably securing the sleeve within the riser; and

abutment means on the water delivery tube at said inner end for projection beyond the outer diameter of said inner end to prevent said inner end from being moved through the sleeve. 2. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said first and second annular gasket means are comprised of O-rings held within appropriate annular grooves formed about the axis of said sleeve.

3. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said water delivery tube includes an upward curved section leading to an upper end thereof mounting a sprinkler nozzle.

4. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said water delivery tube includes an upper end section adapted to mount an impulse rotary sprinkler head thereon.

5. A device for mounting a worn impulse rotary sprinkler head to an upright open riser, said riser having a smooth cylindrical inner surface of constant diameter and said sprinkler head having a water delivery tube mounted thereto with a downwardly open end of a prescribed outside diameter extending into the riser to receive water therefrom and direct said water to a nozzle end of said sprinkler head, said device comprising: a

a sleeve having an elongated cylindrical outer surface of a cross-sectional diameter less than the diameter of said smooth cylindrical inner surface of said riser, an inner bore extending through the sleeve of a diameter greater than the prescribed outside diameter of said downwardly open end of the water delivery tube for receiving said water delivery tube therein for free rotation about the axis of said bore, with said downwardly open end exposed below said sleeve; first annular gasket means on said sleeve for providing a watertight seal between the sleeve and riser when said sleeve is inserted into said riser;

second annular gasket means on the sleeve within said bore for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and said water delivery tube;

fastening means for releasably securing the sleeve within the riser; and

abutment means mounted to the downwardly open end of said water delivery tube exposed below said sleeve for projection beyond said prescribed diameter of prevent said downwardly open end from moving through said bore.

6. The device set out in claim 5 wherein said first and second annular gasket means are comprised of O-rings held within appropriate annular grooves formed about the axis of said sleeve. 

1. A device for mounting a sprinkler to a riser having a smooth cylindrical inner surface of constant diameter, comprising: a sleeve having an elongated cylindrical outer surface of a cross-sectional diameter slightly less than the diameter of said smooth cylindrical inner surface of said riser and an inner bore of a prescribed diameter extending the full length of said sleeve; a water delivery tube having a downwardly open cylindrical tubular section extending through the inner bore of said sleeve to an inner end projecting below said sleeve; said tubular section and inner end having cross-sectional outer diameters slightly less than the diameter of said bore; first annular gasket means on said sleeve for providing a watertight seal between the sleeve and riser when said sleeve is inserted into said riser; second annular gasket means on the sleeve within said bore for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and water delivery tube; fastening means operatively connected between the sleeve and riser for releasably securing the sleeve within the riser; and abutment means on the water delivery tube at said inner end for projection beyond the outer diameter of said inner end to prevent said inner end from being moved through the sleeve.
 2. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said first and second annular gasket means are comprised of O-rings held within appropriate annular grooves formed about the axis of said sleeve.
 3. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said water delivery tube includes an upward curved section leading to an upper end thereof mounting a sprinkler nozzle.
 4. The device set out in claim 1 wherein said water delivery tube includes an upper end section adapted to mount an impulse rotary sprinkler head thereon.
 5. A device for mounting a worn impulse rotary sprinkler head to an upright open riser, said riser having a smooth cylindrical inner surface of constant diameter and said sprinkler head having a water delivery tube mounted thereto with a downwardly open end of a prescribed outside diameter extending into the riser to receive water therefrom and direct said water to a nozzle end of said sprinkler head, said device comprising: a sleeve having an elongated cylindrical outer surface of a cross-sectional diameter less than the diameter of said smooth cylindrical inner surface of said riser, an inner bore extending through the sleeve of a diameter greater than the prescribed outside diameter of said downwardly open end of the water delivery tube for receiving said water delivery tube therein for free rotation about the axis of said bore, with said downwardly open end exposed below said sleeve; first annular gasket means on said sleeve for providing a watertight seal between the sleeve and riser when said sleeve is inserted into said riser; second annular gasket means on the sleeve within said bore for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and said water delivery tube; fastening means for releasably securing the sleeve within the riser; and abutment means mounted to the downwardly open end of said water delivery tube exposed below said sleeve for projection beyond said prescribed diameter of prevent said downwardly open end from moving through said bore.
 6. The device set out in claim 5 wherein said first and second annular gasket Means are comprised of O-rings held within appropriate annular grooves formed about the axis of said sleeve. 